Improvement in combined tables, stools, and stands



.l. ined Tables,

A MABKLE.

Mums, and Stands.

Patented June24, 1873.

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AM FIIDTD-LITHDGRAPHIC 00. N. XmsBaRNE's PROCESS! UNIT D STATES PATENT OFF CE.

JOSEPH A. MARKLE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT lN COMBINED TABLES, STOOLS, AND STANDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 140,288, dated June 24, 1873; application filed April 21, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH A. MARKLE, of the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Combined Table, Stool, and Stand and I do hereby declare the following to be a clear and exact description of the nature thereof, sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to fully understand, make, and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings making part of this specification, in which Figures 1 and 2 are side elevations of the device embodying my invention. Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views of the parts being folded.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

My invention relates to a device which may be readily adapted for a table, stool, and stand. It consists of an elevated platform combined with a central bar. It also consists in bolts for simultaneously lockin g the platform and leaf. It also consists in a locking-arm rising from one of the legs for engagement with and supporting the leaf. It also consists in the combination of a folding-leaf, platform, and legs.

Referring to the drawings, A represents two legs, which are securely connected to a cross-bar or piece, B, and may be of curved, angular, or other form. 0 represents two legs, which are of form corresponding to that of the legs A, but of dimensions to fit within said legs A, as seen in Fig. 3. The legs 0 are jointed to the central point of the legs A, or to the cross-bar B, so as to be folded in and out of the legs A, and both sets of legs are connected by braces a a, which cross each other centrally, and in the centers are formed squared openings through which passes a bolt, D, the upper portion of the length of which is squared, and the lower portion is diminished or rounded; whereby, when the squared portions of said bolt are inserted in the squared openings of the braces, the legs will be locked, whether in opened or closed positions. When the legs are to be opened, or closed, or folded, the bolt is raised in. order to clear its squared portion of the squared opening in the braces, and thus the braces are unlocked and the legs may be swung around to the desired position, after which the bolt drops or is forced down, and the locking operation again occurs. E represents a leaf, which is hinged to the cross-bar B, and adapted to be folded alongside of the legs A 0 when folded. On the under side of the leaf there are arranged catches F which engage with the inner ends of two bolts, G, which are horizontally arranged and suitably mounted on the cross-bar B. The outer ends of said bolts are adapted to engage with catches or notched plates H, of aplatform, J, which is jointed outside of the leaf to the cross-bar B, and which, when in operating position, is elevated above the leaf E. A single spring, K, bears against the two bolts so as to force them in opposite directions for properly holding the leaf and platform in place. The inner ends of the bolts are turned or bent to project transversely, and the faces thereof are beveled to correspond to the beveled faces of the catches F. The outer ends of said bolts and the corresponding portions of the catches H are likewise beveled to permit proper engagement of the locking parts.

If the device is required for use the legs are swung out and looked, as has been stated. The leaf is then brought to a horizontal position and the catches F at once engage with the bolts. By these means a convenient table .or stool is produced.

The platform may then be elevated to assume a vertical position, and its catches H are caught by the same bolts which look the leaf, and thus the platform is firmly held.

The device now constitutes a stand applicable for various purposes.

The leaf, being locked at its center by the bolts on the cross-bar, requires to be braced near its outer sides, and to this end I attach to one of the hinged legs an arm, L, which rises therefrom, and when the legs are open is brought in contact with a catch, M, on the under side of the leaf, so as to sustain the latter.

\Vhen the legs are swung back to their folded state the arm L follows, and in no wise interferes with the movements thereof, or any of the other parts. Now, take hold of the inner ends of the bolts, and drawing them together,

the platform and leaf are simultaneously disengaged from the bolts and may then be readily folded, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The hinged platform J combined with the central bar B, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The doubly-constructed bolts G in combination with the leaf E and platform J, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The arm L rising from one of the hinged legs, and combined with the leaf E, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The folding'legs AG, central bar B, folding leaf E, and folding platform J, combined and operating as set forth.

The above signed by me this 12th day of April, 1873.

JOSEPH A. MARKLE. Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, MILLARD F. WALTON. 

